Teaching Assistant - Prep School

Teaching Assistants at BCVN are co-workers with our expat teaching staff and in the Prep School work across year groups and classes to support our learners who are non-native English speakers. This allows a close relationship of trust to be built up with our teaching staff and pupils.

A Prep School teaching assistant will:

• Work with small groups and individual pupils within a class setting to assist with understanding and learning.

• To help to develop strategies to support learners and work strategically with the Lead Teacher: Learning and Teaching as line manager. There will also be engagement with the Head of EAL and the Head of AEN who will identify pupils who may need short- or medium-term interventions.

• Support all learners who need help with concepts and work tasks.

• Specifically help with understanding of English for pupils for whom English is an additional language.

• Enable pupils to develop self-efficacy in learning by providing short term support and interventions.

• Guide and assist expat teachers with their understanding of Vietnamese culture, traditions, and language so that lessons more accurately take account of and demonstrate cultural diversity.

• Suggest (as a co-worker) strategies to engage learners and allow them to fulfill learning objectives.

• Support the emotional and pastoral needs of each learner by being a kind, open and emotionally intelligent person alert to the needs of each pupil.

• Help to build strong relationships with parents/carers by translating for the class teacher or directly liaising when requested to do so with parents (it is not expected that the TA would be the first port of call for parents).

• Aid the production of eye-catching teaching displays.

• Assist with breaktime and lunchtime supervision of pupils (this is shared with all teaching staff and leadership team members).

• To run and/or supervise as appropriate after-school extracurricular activities.

• Assist with school visits and trips as required.

• Ensure as a member of our team that expectations for pupils are clearly set out and followed and that pupils are supported to ensure the highest standards of behaviour are maintained.

• Follow, support, and actively promote safeguarding policies and procedures always working with the class teacher and the Designated Safeguarding Lead in the Senior School.

• To support with pupil recruitment and assessments sessions on some Saturday mornings (typically one per month maximum).

• To assist with all reasonable requests and tasks delegated by the Head of Prep/ Head Master or the line manager who is the Lead Teacher: Learning and Teaching.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Teaching Assistants at BCVN are educated to degree level and beyond

• Educated to first or Masters level in Education or English or a related degree.

• Preferably with a teaching qualification.

• Experience of working in a school or education setting where English is the primary language of communication.

• At least two years of post-degree work experience, preferably within a school setting.

• High level of spoken and written English which will be demonstrated by a relevant qualification or be capable of being assessed at interview. Near native proficiency is the preferred level.

• Strong skills in mother tongue to assist in transmission of ideas and words to learners.

• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work with a diversity of colleagues.

• A commitment to the Brighton College core values of curiosity, confidence, and kindness.

• Deep rooted belief in equity and diversity as key components of education.

• Understanding of the nature of international education.